Hello Rhys,
I've got some long travelling experiences with a WT.
I drove 8 months through Turkey and Canada/Alaska with complete XT (hubs, gearshift and -brakes, bottom bracket, cranks etc.). Mavic rims, Tubus.
If the frame fits to you, it seems to be an unbreakable bike. My frame doesn't, because the top tube is too short for me. They are generally shorter than on normal mountainbikes
For my next bike I will have either Rohloff Hub or 3x7 with separated brake- and gearshifters. Keep the system simple, effective and repairable.
Keep in mind that the Stem is 1" - but 1 1/8" is more general for Headsets.
The fork is too small for 50 cm-tires! 47 cm is the last option.
If you have more or detailed questions, write an email to Griesa(at)web.de

Hope to help a little.
Rivella